Are you one of the many Americans with special medical needs? Need help paying for medical costs? According to the Centers for Disease Control, 28.2 million Americans under the age of 65 don’t have good health insurance. A single medical emergency, like a car accident or a broken bone, can quickly cost a fortune.
Did you know that many healthcare assistance programs are available? If you’re struggling and need help with medical bills and prescriptions, these services may give you with the financial support you need. Don’t avoid medical care because of poor insurance. Instead, tap into these programs and to get the support you need.
Local medical assistance programs
Many medical bill and prescription assistance programs are locally based. Nonprofit centers, for example, can provide you with the care you need or help you with the payments. To find these, tap into local resources, like social workers at hospitals and medical centers. Cancer centers, heart centers, and diabetes associations in your city may offer help. Search for low-income health care with your city’s name online. You’ll find local solutions best here.
Visit the Department of Health and Human Services
Every county has a Department of Health and Human Services. DHS’s goal is to help keep residents healthy. Some locations provide direct care on site, such as…
- Free or low-cost dental visits
- Vision services
- Family planning and pregnancy support
- Drug and alcohol addiction care.
- Wellness clinics for vaccinations & checkups for kids.
Make an appointment to visit so you can learn more about these options. Simply locate your local health department for direct help. If they can’t help you, they’ll know where you can get help.
Health insurance options for children and families
Children need ongoing medical care for prevention and sicknesses. A variety of low-cost and free resources are available to help. Low-cost children’s medical and prescription assistance is available in several ways. Check out each one of the local chapters of these organizations for your needs:
- Use the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website to find local programs and services in your area for children.
- The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)Â is a great option for those who need affordable children’s health insurance. Use this page to find out if you qualify for the program. It can help you get free or low-cost coverage that is not available elsewhere. Plus, this program is available in every state.
- InsureKidsNow.gov provides a fantastic tool for finding low-cost health and dental coverage. This is service that is done through Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). There is a tool on this website that helps you find state-specific information. You can also call directly at 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669) for help.
- If you or your loved one is disabled, solutions are available. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services lists a variety of programs and supportive services on its website for direct help in unique situations.
At each website, you’ll find contact information so you can reach the agency directly or find the local office.
Dental assistance programs
As mentioned earlier, many local health departments will provide financial help to those in need for dental care. However, dental services may be available in other ways as well.
- Non-profit organizations locally may offer some support.
- The local chapter of your dental association may offer free or no-cost dental clinics.
- Search for dental schools in your area! Universities with dental programs offer discounted dental care. You’ll work with closely-supervised dental students & licensed faculty to get affordable service. This isn’t for everyone, though. Check into the service, ask a lot of questions, and make sure the school has an excellent reputation.
- Check out this link from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for low-cost dental care near you.
- Dental Lifeline Network provides free or discounted dental care from a network of some 15,000 dentists across the country through the Donated Dental Services program.
Dental care is easy to access. Many dental offices will also offer discount programs or payment plans. Don’t skip the dentist!
United Way’s 2-1-1 Program
United Way is a global organization that aims to provide individuals and families with support often at their worst times. The 2-1-1 program, which many people don’t know much about, provides an opportunity to get information. The United Way counselors work hand-in-hand with you to help you find local human service programs. These programs can help you with many medical and prescription costs for low income families or individuals. This program connects people to:
- Emergency medical services
- Mental health resources
- Physical health resources
- Transportation needs
- Financial assistance programs
- Health insurance programs
- Childcare support and access
- Food banks
2-1-1 is absolutely free, and it’s available in most states. All you need to do is to contact the agency. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once you contact them, they go to work for you to find options for shelters, food, medical assistance and other needs from local and state organizations. What’s really valuable here is that the organization consistently is monitoring options available, so they’ll know if any new programs or changes to existing ones. All you need to do is to use the site to find your local 2-1-1 service.
Prescription medication financial help
Sometimes, getting the medical care isn’t the problem. The real problem comes from paying for prescription drugs. There are resources that can help you with this as well.
- ScriptSave® WellRx is a prescription savings program provided to customers by Q Link Wireless. If you’re a Q Link customer, the ScriptSave® app is already on your phone. Open the app to sign up at no cost, and you can save up to 80% off both brand name and generic prescriptions. Or if you prefer a printed prescription card to get the same savings, visit wellrx.com/qlink
- Partnership for Prescription Assistance is an organization that provides a completely free service helping you find available programs for low-cost and free medication. They directly connect with the manufacturers, health care providers, and community groups to make this possible. Visit the site, call them, and find local options.
- RX Assist is another program, but a bit different. Here, drug companies that are able to provide free or low-cost medication are listed. It is a database that gives you access to these organizations as well as other tools to help you find medication. Again, there is no cost to you. The Assistance Fund is another tool. For those who are eligible, this program provides financial assistance to help cover those costs that are not paid for by your insurance, including medication costs. You’ll work with patient advocates who can help you find solutions.
Additional medical assistance & prescription coverage
Here are additional resources available to many in the United States. Consider those that apply to your situation.
- NeedyMeds provides a database to use to find low cost and sliding scale medical clinics that can help you get the support you need. These are not necessarily free but lower costing medical service.
- HealthCare.gov is not just for finding health insurance. This particular tool will help you find low-cost health care in your local area. This can include help for baby vaccinations, mental health, prenatal care, general primary care, and much more.
- If you need hearing care, turn to the Hearing Loss Association of America. It is available to help those who need financial assistance. For those who are 19 years of age or younger, the HIKE Fund may provide financial support.
Finally, use the Medicaid.gov website to help you find more help. The Healing Connect Enrollees to Care service helps individuals to find the services they need and is continuously updated. It helps to promote preventative care. Check out all of the links and information on this page to help you get started. Take the time to find a program that offers you the financial help for medical and prescription needs you have.
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